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W. R. KINNEAR.

FILE CASE.

No. 391,752. Patented Oct. 23, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEieE.

WILLIAM It. KINNEAR, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO W. It. KINNEAR & (10., OF SAME PLACE.

FILE-CASE.

SPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,752, dated Getober 23, 1888.

(Model) T aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. KINNEAR,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Columbus, in the county of Franklin, State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in File-Cases, of which the following is a full and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in cases for holding documents, biltfiles, and like articles, but more especially to that class in which are provided pigeon-holes for the reception of the said articles, and has for its obx 5 jeets to render the case proof against fire and the admission of dust or vermin to the articles contained therein.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the invention. In this view is shown in some of the compartments the file-cases above referred to, also a method of rendering the sides fireproof. Fig. 2 is a vertical crosssection of the invention as shown in Fig. 1. In this view is shown the manner of attaching the partitions between the shelving to the same and to the back of the case, also the construction of the shelvin Fig. 3 is avertical longitudinal section of the invention. In this view is shown a modification of the construction for rendering the ease fire-proof or for retarding the conduction of heat from the outer to the inner walls of the sides, also the manner of attaching the shelving to the sides and of attaching the partition to the said shelving. Fig. 4i is a vertical longitudinal section corresponding to Fig. 8, showing a further modification of the construction for rendering the case fire-proof. Fig. 5 is a detailed view in section of the manner ofjoining the shelving and partitions between the same. Fig. 6 is a detailed view, in section, of the manner of joining the back to the sides of the case. Fi 7 is a detailed view,in section, showing the manner of joining the top and back of the case.

In the drawings, the letters A A designate the sides of the case, B B the top and bottom, and O the back. In all these there is a common likeness in that between the outer and inner walls of the same is a space which may 50 be filled with a nonconducting material, as

shown in Fig. 3, or left for an air-space, as shown in Fig. 4. Both of these methods have their advantages. In the former instance the sides are rendered more solid and free from the liability of disfigurement by dentiug, which is incident to the latter, while in the latter the absence of the solid material renders the structure much lighter, and consequently much easier to move. In the latter I have provided perforations to allow for the circulation of the air; but it is obvious that while this is an additional expedient it is not essential to the operation of the invention.

The sides A A are coi'istrueted of single sheets of metal. These are bent in the center, so as to form the vertical front rails, A, of the sides, and to allow the ends to meet at the rear. \Vhere they are turned to form the front rails, as stated, they have embossed designs stamped or attached upon them, as desired. The top and bottom edges of these sheets are nicked and folded together, so as to meet when the sides are in position. In some cases they are soldered together to render the construction firmer; but by preference generally are simply turned so as to meet, in which position they will be retained by the strength of the material. At the rear the one edge, A", is turned to correspond to the front rail and is extended slightly toward the front of the case. The edge of the outer side is folded upon the same. Elongated slots are cut through the inner wall of the sides and the lapped edges of the outer wall in line and at short intervals throughout the entire height of the case. 8

The back G is constructed of two sheets of metal, each provided at the bottom and top with folded edges lapping the one upon the other. The outer wall of the back is provided with lugs 0 corresponding to the parallel slots go out in the rear edges of the sides A, through which they are protruded and bent down on the outside. The inner wall of the back is provided with a turned edge where it meets the inner wall of the said sides. At the upper and lower edges of the back are provided slots extending through both walls in line and at intervals across the width of the ease.

The top and bottom BB, like the sides, consist of single sheets of metal bent to form the top and bottom rails of the case at the front. The rear ends are provided with lugs B B those of the outer wall, B, extending through the slots in the bottom and top of the back above mentioned,where they are bent over, and those of the inner wall, B, extending through slots cut in the inner wall of the back. The said lugs are bent to bind the said top to the said back rigidly. The edges of the walls of the top and bottom next to the sides A A are provided with lugs B which extend through slots cut to receive them in the inner wall of the said sides. The alternate lugs B are bent at an angle before the lugs B are inserted in the slots, so that the parts may be rapidly adjusted.

When the sides A A, top and bottom B B, and back 0 are all joined, as herein described, there is a casing, each side of which is provided with outer and inner walls having a space between them. In a number of the cases I find it convenient to attach to the inner wall of the said sides before forming, as herein described, a lining of asbestos or other fireproofing material. By the combinationof air-spaces and the said fire-proof lining I find that these cases will stand a high degree of heat applied to them. In other cases I find it a good method to fill the said sides when they are formed with a fire-proof material such as mineral wool, ashes, &c.by means of which I attain a thoroughly fire-proof and solid case.

Before forming the sides, as herein described, by doubling the outer wall over the inner the shelving D, partitions E, and dividing-rai1s F are all constructed therein.

The shelves D are constructed of one piece of metal, and the front edges bent down and back so as to make the square edge shown in the drawings. The said square edge is provided upon the ends meeting the inner walls of the sides A A with lugs, which extend through slots cut in the said wall to receive them. The remaining edges of the said shelving, where they meet the sides A A and back 0, are provided at intervals with lugs, which are inserted in the slots formed in the inner walls of the said sides and back to receive them. The lugs are bent after being inserted to secure the shelving in position. Between the 1 said lugs the edge of the shelving is bent at an angle,so that when placed in position these bent portions prevent the inner wall of the said sides from projecting inwardly, and also form a gage for turning the lugs which project through the said sides. Extending vertically between the shelves and between the upper and lower shelves and the inner walls of the bottom and top B B are the partitions E. These partitions are provided with lugs E and E, the former of which extend through slots in the said shelving and top and bottom, and the latter are bent at an angle to the said partitions to gage the insertion of the former. Where the lugs E extend through the top and bottom B B, they are turned over to form a tight joint therewith.

The dividing-rails F are formed to correspond to the turned edge of the shelving, and are interposed between the same in front of the partitions E. They are provided at either end with the lugs F WhlCh are set slightly back from the face of the rail, and are inserted in slots in the front bent edge of the shelving provided to receive the same.

Throughout the structure the joints are formed close enough to prevent the admission of dust or vermin, or where this is not effected by the construction unassisted I introduce solder or any other material suitable for that purpose.

When the case is constructed as herein described, it is provided with a molded cornice and base, substantially as shown in the drawings, which are constructed so as to fit over the case.

The structure as herein described I find to be very strong; but where it is deemed necessary it may be strengthened by passing in both directions through the same small iron rods, the heads of the rods being concealed by the ornamentation in front of the case.

What I claim is- 1. In a case for holding documents, the combination of sides consisting of outer and inner walls separated by heat-retarding ma terial, and shelving provided with lugs for being inserted in perforations in the said sides and turned to hold the shelving rigidly, substantially as described.

2. In a case for holding documents, the combination of sides consisting of outer and inner walls separated by heat-retarding material, shelving fitted between the said sides, having the forward edges turned to form dividing-rails between the tiers of shelves, and lugs attached to the shelving for being inserted in perforations in the said sides and turned to hold the shelving rigidly, substantially as described.

3. In a case for holding documents, the combination of sides consisting of outer and inner walls separated by a heat-retarding material, shelving fitted between the said sides, having the forward edges turned to form dividing-rails between the tiers of shelves, lugs attached to the shelves for being inserted in perforations in the said sides and turned to hold the shelving, and upright dividing-rails placed at intervals extending between the shelves and provided upon the ends with lugs for being inserted in perforations in the edges of the shelves, substantially as described.

4. In a case for holding documents, the combination of sides consisting of outer and inner walls separated by a heat-retarding material, shelving fitted between the said sides, having the forward edges turned to form dividing-rails between the tiers of shelves, lugs attached to the shelves for being inserted in perforations in the said sides and turned to hold the shelving, and partitions extending between the shelves and provided with lugs extended through perforations in the shelving for holding the partitions, substantially as described.

5. In a case for holding documents, the combination of sides consisting of outer and inner walls separated by a heat-retarding material, shelving fitted between the said sides, having the forward edges turned to form dividing-rails between the tiers of shelving, lugs attached to the shelves for being inserted in perforations in the said sides and turned to hold the shelving, partitions extending be tween the shelving and provided with lugs extended through perforations in the shelving \VILLIAM R. KINNEAR.

Witnesses:

W. O. GAGER, F. M. ELLIs. 

